I watched the interplay between FBI Director Christopher Wray and members of the House Judiciary Committee on December 7, 2017. It appears to me that Director Wray was raising the “Independent Inspector General” as a foil against Congress’ oversight power. I ask that Director Wray forthrightly be informed that Congress has access to any and all information possessed by the FBI. Furthermore, I object to the FBI screening the alleged 10,000 text messages without Congressional oversight of that process. To protect the interest of the American people, it is essential that the FBI not be allowed to select those texts that it chooses to provide to Congress. Let’s not repeat the mistakes made in the handling of the Hillary Clinton email “matter.”
As to the reputation of the FBI, it’s only as good as its last picture.
Please read and consider the following:
Congress Is the Supreme Overseer of the Executive Branch.
The powers of the Legislative and Executive Branches are enumerated in, and delegated by, the United States Constitution. Those Branches cannot makeup or contrive additional powers. Why is this so? The Tenth Amendment clearly answered that question 226 years ago. And, it has not changed. Here is the text of the Tenth Amendment:
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
The Constitution does not delegate to the United States the power to create “independent” entities. (See the U.S. Const.) Indeed, such a power could destroy our government.
Because there are no “independent” governmental entities, each such entity is subject to oversight, i.e., it answers to a superior. That includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its “independent” Inspector General, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and an “Independent” or Special Counsel. These entities are not free to do as they wish. Here is why.
The Executive Branch, headed by President Donald J. Trump, is in charge of the FBI and DOJ. President Trump is the chief law enforcement officer of the nation. (U.S. Const., art II.) Congress has the obligation of overseeing the Executive Branch. (U.S. Const., art. I.) It is also true that the FBI is subordinate to the DOJ headed up by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Conclusion. Congress, President Trump, Attorney General Sessions each and all have the Constitutional power to oversee “Independent” Inspectors General and “Independent” Counsel Mueller, fire them and their staff, and to investigate the investigators if that is deemed necessary. All should take heed that Congress is the supreme overseer of the Executive Branch. (Ibid.)
